Egg-crate.



Patented Nov. 26, laos.

EGG. CRATE.

(Applaton filed Aug. 10, 1901.)

(No Model.)

a l i I s s l I l z i s i l UNITED Sra'rss PATENT JOHN THOS. SMITH, OF PETERS LANDING, TENNESSEE.

EGG-CRATE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 687,664, dated November 26, 1901.

Application filed August 10, 1901. Serial N'o. 71,653. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN THOS. SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pe# ters Landing, in the county of Perry and State of Tennessee, have invented a new and useful Egg-Crate, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to egg crates or carriers, and has for its object to present a cheap, simply-constructed, thoroughly eiiicient, and highly durable receptacle for the purpose named which in use will withstand rough handling without becoming damaged and which in case of damage may be readily repaired.

A further object is to construct the crate of the fewest possible number of parts and to assemble the parts in such manner as to secure the highest benefits in use.

With these and other objects in view, as will appear as the nature of the invention is `better understood, the same consists in the novell construction and combination of parts of an eggcrate,as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts, there is illustrated one form of embodiment of the invention capable of carrying the same into effect, it being understood that the elements herein exhibited may be varied or changed as to shape, proportion, and exact manner of assemblage without departing from the scope of the invention, and in these drawings- Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a crate characterizing this invention, the lids being shown the one entirely and the otherpartly raised. Fig. 2 is a view in longitudinal section through the crate. Fig. 3 is a View in transverse section taken about the center of the crate, showing more particularly the manner in which the partition is associated with one of the frame-wires. Fig. 4 is a transverse section taken adjacent to one of the ends of the box and showing the manner in which the lid is associated with one of the frame-wires.

Referring to the drawings, 1 and 2 designate the sides of the box, and 3 the bottom, these parts being by preference formed from a single piece of sheet metal bent to appropriate shape. The ends 4 are made from separate pieces of metal and are associated with the sides and bottom through the medium of two frame-wires 5 and 6, these being bent to a rectangular or approximately rectangular form and have their terminals interlocked by being hooked or twisted together,`as shown at 7, these interlocked portions of the framewires being by preference disposed at the corners of the box, thus to be out of the way and to obviate the presentation of obstructions that might interfere with the free working of the lids 8 and 9. It is to be understood, however, that the terminals of the frame-wires 5 and 6 may be otherwise secured together and still be within the scope of the invention. The manner of assembling the sides and ends with the frame-wires 5 and 6 consists in bending the ends of the sides only of the body around the wires, as shown at 10, and soldering the overturned portion around the wires and to the sides. The ends 4 have their lower edges turned around or over the lower member of each frame-wire 5 and 6, as shown at 11, these overturned portions being likewise soldered to the ends. The upper edges of the ends are cut away in this instance at three points, presenting recesses 12, the intermediate tongues 13 between the recesses being bent or turned around the upper member of theframe-wires and soldered against the ends, as already described. Each lid, which is of a length somewhat greater than half the length of the box, is formed on its lower edge with three tongues 14these being inserted through the recesses 12 and passed around the upper member of the frame-wires to present hinges, the overturned tongues of the lid being soldered to the lid, thereby to present a strong and durable hinge.

The intermediate frame-wire 15 is passed around the bottom and sides of the box and of the frameewire within the box is a hinged partition 20, the same having its upper edge formed into two tongues 2l to straddle the staple, the tongues to be secured to the body of the partition by Solder or other preferred fastening means. It is to be understood that the ordinary paper fillers for holding the eggs are to be used in connection with this crate, and as their use is understood detailed illustration is deemed unnecessary.

In addition to the employment of solder for holding the overturned portions of the sides and ends in position around the frame-wires it is to be understood that, if desired, additional fastening means in the nature of rivets and the like may be employed, and as this will be readily understood detailed illustration is deemed unnecessary.

To facilitate handling the crate, the ends have handles 22 secured thereto, as clearly shown in Figs. l and 2.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the parts of this crate are so constructed and assembled as to present the greatest resistance to damage with the lightest possible weight. Being made of metal, it will be practically impossible to break the crate, and should it be, mashed or dented this defect may be readily cured.

When the lids are closed, as shown in Fig. 2, the staple 18 projects above the "lids and may be engaged by a lock 23 to hold the lids securely fastened together.

Having thus fully described the invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isd- 1. An egg-crate comprising a bottom and sides formed of a single piece of metal, framewires arranged at the ends of the sides around which the terminals of the sides are bent, end pieces having their lower edges bent around the frame-wires throughout their width, and their upper edges formed into tongues to embrace the upper members of the frame-wires, the assemblage between the frame-wires and the bottom, sides and end of the box being permanent, and lids having hinged connection with the said upper members of the framewires.

2. An egg-crate comprising a bottom and sides formed of a single piece of metal, framejected through openings near the upper edges of the sides, and formed intermediate of the sides into a staple, and lids having hinged connection with the upper members of the end frame-wires, and provided with openings to engage the said staple, substantially as described.

3. An egg-crate comprising a bottom and -sides formed of a single piece of metal, framewires arranged at the ends of the sides around which the terminals of the sides are bent and secured, end pieces having their lower edges bent around the lower members of the frame- Wires throughout their width, and their upper edges bent into tongues to embrace the upper members of the frame-wires, lids having aphinged connection with the said upper members of the frame-wires, a centrally-disposed frame-wire passing around the outer side of the box and having its terminals projected through openings near the upper edges of the sides, and formed intermediate of the sides into a staple, reinforcing-strips secured around the lower portion of the sides and the bottom of the crate and embracing the center frame-wire, and lids having hinged connection with the upper members of the end frame-wires, and provided with openings to engage the said staple, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN THOS. SMITH.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM CULP, J. W. SMITH. 

